Ever since I first found Lindsey Bugbee's blog I was hooked! She offers simple do-able crafting DIYs that will make you look like a Martha Stewart without the cost and worry. You can check her out at www.thepostmansknock.com.

A few days ago she posted a tutorial on how to watercolor gems. So this evening, I decided to try it out because I needed art therapy to forget my migraine.

You can read the tutorial yourself here. To warn you I don't know much about watercolor and find it hard to control in most times. I bought myself a cheap 16 colored set by Prang before Christmas and have used it sparingly.

For this DIY you'll need:

watercolor

brush (for this instance I used my Pentel Aquash)

watercolor paper

pencil

eraser

ruler

You really need to use watercolor paper because if you don't the colors won't be absorbed as nicely making it watered down. Additionally it will cause the paper to warp.

I first started with drawing a circle by tracing a roll of tape. I then began drawing triangles slowly building from the center towards the outer borders. After which you take your brush and the "gem" color of your choice, in this instance I used green, and slowly paint your triangles. BE CAREFUL TO NOT PAINT OVER YOUR PENCIL LINES. Just paint the inside shape of your triangles and leaving a border around. Continue to do this until your entire gem has been painted. Afterwards, let the paint dry for about 10 minutes then erase your pencil lines! TADAH!! A gem!!

After my central "gem" of a green emerald, I decided to add 2 more: a diamond and ruby. I googled images to see what the gem shapes look like or you can copy what Lindsey has on her blog. Lindsey was right! Painting the shapes is very therapeutic, after a while you'll realize it will be over too soon! I still had space at the bottom so I placed a few words in calligraphy. (Took the opportunity to practice my nib skills since I've been using my brush too often lately.) So here is the finished product! What do you think?